This is the moment a brave shopkeeper chased off a terrifying gang of armed robbers.

The gang of four men approached The Gardens Convenience Store in Ellesmere Park, Salford armed with crowbars and a hammer.

Three of the men stayed outside the shop and attacked the windows with crowbars, while the fourth man entered the shop armed with the hammer.

But as the offender approached the counter, the shopkeeper picked up a stick and chased him away. CCTV released shows the offenders fleeing up the street empty-handed.

PC Lee Cunliffe said: “I must commend the shopkeeper’s bravery in this situation, chasing away four armed men with just a stick.

“The offender who enters the shop takes just seconds to turn on his heels and run away, taking his friends with him.

“They will not be winning any awards for bravery any time soon, but that should not detract from the fact they went to the shop armed to cause damage and perhaps even inflict injury.”

He added: “We therefore ask that if anyone saw these men around the shop at the time, or nearby on Salisbury Road - where we know they travelled after the incident - to contact police as soon as possible.”

The attempted robbery took place at around 8pm on Tuesday January 27.

The offender armed with the hammer is described as white and around 5ft 6in tall. He was wearing a light grey tracksuit with a black balaclava and dark gloves.